10 Book Notes - The God of the Woods
Book by Liz Moore
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.5 of 5 stars
The book is a longer mystery novel that had me hooked and unable to stop reading. After flipping the last page and closing the book, I found myself turning back to the first few pages, revisiting the words the author placed there. They were so impactful, like the ones in the picture below:
Reflecting on my reading journey, all I want to say is: I understand the woods as well! It reminded me of a camping trip I took with my family to a private campsite near Wells, New York. The brook flowing with colorful, fallen leaves there lined up perfectly with the imagery of the woods and the nearby police station described in the book. By coincidence, I’ve been to places that resemble the wild woods depicted in the story, which made the reading experience uniquely personal and enriching.
Here’s a picture of wood near Wells
Returning to the highlights of the book after I put it down, a few key points come to mind:
1. Skillful Writing Techniques
Compared to other newly released, popular mystery novels, this one stands out for its clever use of language. Instead of piling words on top of one another, the author artfully weaves them into the narrative. Here’s an example of a sentence I particularly enjoyed:
he was laid out flat in the back of Dick Shattuck’s pickup truck, looking up at the sky. Beneath him, the truck bed was rumbling; above him, the world was racing. Overhanging tree branches blurred into a steady green.
2. Outstanding Independent Characters
Without giving away any spoilers, I noticed how carefully the author contrasted the lives of female characters, presenting them in different roles and destinies from the 1960s to the 1970s. The book juxtaposes traditional and unconventional lifestyles, featuring characters like the region’s first female inspector, a woman trapped in a conventional marriage, and an elderly lady whose crucial clues propel the story forward.Of course, there’s more, but I won’t list here to avoid spoilers.
I appreciated how the female characters drive the narrative, which added depth and resonance for me. The intergenerational development woven into the story made it even more touching. Here’s an excerpt that moved me beyond the central mystery:
Among the Polish families of Schenectady, New York, a girl who moves out of the home before marriage is odd at best; a scandal at worst.
With the camp, her future was secure: she would never be required to marry, not if she didn’t want to. She could live, without restriction, what he thought of as an unconventional life.
If you can get a feel for the book’s essence from what I’ve shared, I want to add one last note. Just because I’ve highlighted some of these details doesn’t mean the book isn’t a gripping mystery. While it wasn’t a full-throttle thriller for me, it’s perfect if you enjoy woods, wildlife exploration, and a more immersive mystery experience.
Thank you for reading!
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199698485-the-god-of-the-woods
Read my other book notes:
04 Book Notes - Parable of the Sower
05 Book Note - Capitalism & Slavery
06 Book Notes - Murder in The Crooked House
07 Book Note - Okegawa stalker murder - Testament
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